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After voting for the Finance Bill 2024, Kimilili Member of Parliament (MP) Didmus Barasa engaged with his constituents has claimed that he is a Gen Z and will continue fighting for them.

Barasa was among the MPs who voted for the bill before President Ruto declined to assent to it and withdrew it amid widespread demonstrations in the country.

“I can assure you, the people of Kimilili, that you will never walk alone. Anything that I get, I will share with you because you are very special people.

“Nyinyi mumeona rais ametoa jopo la kushughulikia mwaswala ya vijana wale wanaitwa Gen Z. Mimi mwenyewe nimefika hapa, na hata mkiniona sura yangu si mimi ninakaa Gen Z? Mimi ni Gen Z ama mimi ni mtu mzee? Mimi ni Gen Z senior,” Barasa said on Saturday, June 29, 2024, in a rally held in Kimilili.

The United Democratic Movement (UDA) legislator told his constituents not to worry, as development projects that had been earmarked for completion will be done despite the withdrawal of the Finance Bill.

“Vile mlinipeleka uko Nairobi sijaenda kulala usingizi. Hata kama hii Finance Bill imeanguka, rais amekataa kuweka sahihi mimi nataka kuwambia watu wa Kimilili kwamba ile Huduma Centre ile tulikuwa tumeweka shilingi million arobaini, tayari milioni arobaini iko kwa account yetu na sasa itakarabatiwa ndio msije mkatembea kwenda Bungoma kwa kutafuta huduma.

“Nyinyi watu wa Kimilili ndio mumenilea, sijakua mzee lakini nimekuwa kwa uongozi kwa miaka mingi. Nataka muendelee kunishika mkono na mnipeleke mbele,” Barasa said amid cheers and jeers from the crowd.

Youth taskforce

After withdrawing the controversial tax collection proposed law, President William Ruto launched an engagement forum that will help the youth voice their concerns.

Among the agendas to be discussed by the state and the youth are jobs and other opportunities; the nation’s tax policy; the national debt burden; representation and accountability; and anti-corruption measures.

A National Steering Committee of the NMSF will be established, and the President will facilitate the first sitting of the NSC for the sole purpose of the committee independently identifying the leadership of the forum.

The forum will carry out its activities across all 47 counties through a participatory, citizen-centric, and inclusive process at the ward level.